I found the perfect camera case for the Yi 360 VR (or Samsung Gear 360 2017 or LG 360 Cam), and it functions as a lens cap as well! It’s the LowePro Portland 20.
Having a good camera case is important for your 360 camera for several reasons. First, it will protect your 360 camera (when a 360 camera lens is scratched, the scratch will definitely affect your image quality, unlike for example a telephoto lens). Second, if your camera case is inconvenient to use or carry, then you will use your camera less often. The ideal camera case will protect your camera and make it easy to bring it with you and shoot with it as quickly as possible. The Portland 20 is exactly that for the Yi 360 VR (and Gear 360 2017).
I like bags that fit closely to the camera. I don’t want a camera bag to be bulkier than necessary. The Portland 20 is a perfect fit for the Yi 360 VR (with or without a microfiber pouch to clean it). If you prefer to use a GoPro adapter with the Yi 360 VR, the case is long enough to accommodate that. The 2017 Gear 360 and LG 360 Cam also fit, with space on the sides of the Gear 360 2017 or LG 360 Cam for a mini handle / tripod.
The bag is fairly well padded. I’m confident it will protect the Yi 360 VR, Gear 360 or LG 360 Cam, particularly because the lenses will be facing toward the front and back of the case, which are more well padded than the sides. The bottom is also well padded.
Because the case fits the Yi 360 VR perfectly, you can put the camera upside down, with the tripod hole facing the opening, and this way you can attach your selfie stick / monopod without smearing the lens with your fingerprints. The case can also function as a lens cap in between shooting.
The Portland 20 features a zippered front pocket, which is very useful for storing extra batteries and/or the Yi 360 VR’s special USB cable for external microphones, which could otherwise get easily lost. Alternatively, you can also fit a short USB Type C charging cable. Inside the case, there is a double-sided sleeve for memory cards. Micro SD cards are so small that I wouldn’t put it in there by itself. Instead, I would put it in an SD card adapter, to make it less likely to fall out, and to make it easier to find.
Finally, my favorite feature is that it has LowePro SlipLock, which allows you to attach the case to a belt, backpack strap, or other strap without having to undo them.
LowePro Portland 20 is available on Amazon. And if you have a Yi 360 VR, I wouldn’t wait. The last time I posted about a case for the GoPro Fusion, it was sold out soon thereafter. 🙂
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